Ebrahim Raisi may have criticised the nuclear deal in the past but as president, he will have to abide by it.
![Ebrahim Raisi won the June 18 presidential elections in Iran [Getty Images/Meghdad Madadi]](/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/GettyImages-1323898207.jpg?resize=270%2C180&quality=80)
Ebrahim Raisi may have criticised the nuclear deal in the past but as president, he will have to abide by it.
![Ebrahim Raisi won the June 18 presidential elections in Iran [Getty Images/Meghdad Madadi]](/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/GettyImages-1323898207.jpg?resize=270%2C180&quality=80)
The region must stop relying on the US to do the heavy lifting in confronting ISIL.
![An F-16 Fighting Falcon takes off from Incirlik Air Base, Turkey, as the US launched its first airstrikes by Turkey-based F-16 fighter jets against Islamic State targets in Syria [AP]](/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/2d02bd8005df4075a13021d79254693a_18.jpeg?resize=270%2C180&quality=80)
Once US troops go home, Iran has the most battle-ready military force to offset regional challenges.
![Iranians take part in a demonstration against ISIL in Tehran [EPA]](/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/20141129851166734_20.jpeg?resize=270%2C180&quality=80)
The rapid rise of the Islamic State group has effectively bound the Ayatollahs and the Assad regime
![The official Iranian line has consistently blamed external powers for supporting terrorist groups in Syria, writes Akbarzadeh [Reuters]](/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/201412152434142734_20.jpeg?resize=270%2C180&quality=80)